March 15, 2017

Grapes Could Help Protect Cognitive Decline

The January 2017 issue of Experimental Gerontology published the finding of researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles of a protective effect for powdered grape against a decline in brain metabolism in older adults. The results of the investigation suggest that eating grapes might contribute to the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. The study included ten men and women with mild cognitive decline. Participants were given freeze-dried grape powder or a placebo similar in flavor and appearance but lacking beneficial grape polyphenols. The grape powders, which provided the equivalent of three servings of grapes per day, were mixed with water […]
March 14, 2017

Toxic Chemicals Found in Fast Food Wrappers

WASHINGTON – New research based on nationwide tests shows that many fast food chains still use food wrappers, bags and boxes coated with highly fluorinated chemicals. EWG’s report supplements a new peer-reviewed study in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters, which shows some of the test samples contained traces of a notorious and now-banned chemical formerly used to make DuPont’s Teflon. Scientists from nonprofit research organizations including EWG, federal and state regulatory agencies, and academic institutions collaborated to collect and test samples of sandwich and pastry wrappers, french fry bags, pizza boxes, and other paper and paperboard products from 27 […]
March 7, 2017

Drinking Soda: Do Things Really Go Better?

Pop, soda, or soda pop, whichever name you prefer, let’s face it, is an American icon. I, like many of my patients, grew up with it and couldn’t get enough of that ice cold blast of sugary delight hitting the back of my dry throat after playing outside on a hot summer day. Who can forget all those rainbow colored, knee-high glass bottles of soda with the delicious fruity names and flavors? Years ago, soda was considered a once in a while treat. Today, it’s become a staple in our refrigerators. Americans consume an incredible 160 gallons of soda a […]
March 7, 2017

Passionflower Eases Anxiety & May Help Sleep

Purple passion flower is an indigenous herb used both in food as well as medicinally also called Passionflower or Passiflora incarnata. You may also recognize it as Wild Passionflower, apricot Vine, Holy-Trinity flower, or Maypop. Dried aerial parts of this flower have been used as both a sedative and hypnotic for sleep and relaxation. This herb has also been used to help with gastrointestinal distress caused by nerves. There is evidence that Native American tribes including the Houma and Cherokee used it both in their diets as well as medicinally. Purple Passionflower is a perennial vine that blooms in the […]
March 1, 2017

Pumpkin-Chardonnay-Mushroom Risotto

Pumpkin-Chardonnay-Mushroom Risotto This delicious recipe is a colorful addition to any dinner table. For variety you can add other types of winter squash, or try using a dry Jack cheese in place of the grated Parmesan. Organic wine suggestion: Badger Mountain Chardonnay. PER SERVING (2/3 cup): 211 cal, 16% fat cal, 4g fat, 1g sat fat, 3mg chol, 8g protein, 36g carb, 2g fiber, 265mg sodium Ingredients 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1-1/3 cups water 2 cups winter squash, such as acorn or pumpkin (peeled and cubed) 4 Tbs. olive oil (divided) 1 medium onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, crushed […]